Ann Arbor, MI residents are invited to recycle their ‘gently worn’ shoes in an effort to help distribute shoes to people in need

Soles4Souls Inc. has committed to collect and distribute shoes to people living in extreme poverty and recovering from natural disasters.  The shoe charity provides one pair of shoes to a person in need every 7 seconds. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 13 million pairs of shoes because of the generosity and commitment of people and organizations like The Ragbirds.

Soles4Souls believes partners like The Ragbirds will challenge others to become a force of change by helping the charity cater to the evolving needs of the global community. The shoe charity recognizes its success is the result of individuals and industry partners such as The Ragbirds who clean out closets and warehouses so that individuals around the world can have a better life through American’s excess.

Soles4Souls and The Ragbirds will be collecting your new or gently worn footwear and/or donations to make a tangible difference through the gift of shoes. Every donation will support the charity’s initiative to distribute shoes to those in need.

“With tragedies such as the earthquakes in countries like Haiti and Japan, on top of the enormous needs elsewhere, we can use the estimated 1.5 billion shoes taking up space in the closets of ordinary people to change the world one pair at a time,” said Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, Wayne Elsey.

Elsey added, “We need partners like The Ragbirds to get behind Soles4Souls. Donating shoes is one of the most simple yet profound acts you can do, because it will greatly improve someone’s life in the most difficult of times.”

Known for a fusion of folk rock and world rhythms, The Ragbirds bring an array of sounds together in a pop ready package that is both radio friendly, yet ripe with top-notch improvisation.  And, with mention in USA Today, it’s not just the festival goers that are taking notice.  With comparisons to Paul Simon to Alison Kraus and Rusted Root, The Ragbirds bring a playful dance  party everywhere they go, day or night.

In just a few short years the Ragbirds have shared the stage with independent luminaries such as Rusted Root, Railroad Earth, John Butler Trio, Toubab Krewe, Tea Leaf Green and have performed on stages at moe.down, Electric Forest, Summer Camp, Rothbury, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Summer Camp, Ann Arbor Folk Festival and Hookahville just to name a few.

The all ages show is scheduled for Friday, November 11 and tickets are $15.  Doors are at 7:00 PM and The Ragbirds will be joined by Appleseed Collective.   The Ark is located at 315 S. Main Street.

If you’re interested in donating you can visit the organization’s website at www.giveshoes.org.